Denny Hamlin reacts after NASCAR playoff elimination
Denny Hamlin was deflated after being eliminated from the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at Martinsville Speedway, but the veteran wheelman was also grateful.
Following a challenging weekend in Virginia, Hamlin took to social media to reflect on all he’s been through in 2024. He thanked his fans, and even his detractors, for their support throughout the season, recognizing that he can still win a championship as an owner in Phoenix, due to Tyler Reddick’s participation.
“Thank you to all my friends, family, fans (and even the non fans) for the support of our 11 team during the 2024 season,” Hamlin posted on X, following Martinsville. “Still got 1 more shot to hoist the cup next weekend.”
Regardless, it’s not the same for Hamlin, as the NASCAR world knows how much a long elusive championship would mean to the No. 11 Toyota wheelman. He tried his damndest to get a win at Martinsville and advance to the Championship 4, but he simply wasn’t fast enough to get the job done.
“Just more speed, more capability,” Hamlin told FrontStretch following the race, regarding what his car needed to get him over the hump. “I just felt like our balance was pretty good. We were just not fast enough to run with the other cars.
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“Obviously we struggled with speed today, and that was not ideal, but we just gotta get better.”
It came down to Hamlin against the three Hendrick cars and Ryan Blaney, and they were just better than the No. 11 on Sunday afternoon: “I’m not really sure,” Hamlin added, regarding what he could’ve done different. “I mean, certainly things change when you get out there and put all 36 cars out there and rubber that’s on the track. Conditions, you know from sun to night so you never know.
“Our car was good yesterday, but still, it looked like the Hendrick cars and the 12 really just were a little faster.”
Alas, the reality is Denny Hamlin will be turning 44 later this month, and he only has so many more chances at getting his first NASCAR Cup Series title. He’s come painstakingly close in the past, and he looked to be on his way towards competing again in 2024, but his performance tailed off over the past couple of months.